Motivation to Run

My training from last week:

Do you ever struggle with motivation?
As much as I love to run, most of the time it's hard to get myself hyped-up for a 3 hour long run -- honestly, sometimes it's hard to get motivated to run 3 miles. Saturday night, I pulled together some inspirational posters and as cheesy as it sounds it really helped me get out of bed for my long run.

Another trick that helps me is an updated playlist. It doesn't even have to be new music, it can be something that I haven't heard in a long time. Keri Hilson - Knock You Down was my power song and that song is a few years old. Do you have anything that helps you exercise? Pinterest? Videos? Music?

We have a new car

We have a new car sitting in our garage and it's pink.

Cheyenne is a wild driver, so Trey used his belt to strap dakota in. I thought it was strange that it did not have seat belts..

Later, I'll post video of Chey's crazy driving.

Dakota was like, I better not fall out of this!

Dakota loves it when Chey hits the gas and brakes abruptly. Chey is the driver and Dakota is in charge of the radio.

Yesterday, the girls played outside for over an hour. Bella was scared and covered her eyes.

My 11 year old niece thought it would be cool to drive.

When you were a kid, did you have a motorized car? I always wanted one of these when I was a kid.

My Week in Photos

The girls are still out of town.

This is where married people go, after dinner dates.
Nothing says romance, like Trey taking care of his "honey do-list."
I told him, he's my man slave and he has to fix things for me (always and forever).

This is where I have to run, when I decide not to run before the girls wake up. This was Monday morning, before they went to Abilene.

Dakota Happy
 
And Sassy-Pants
 

No Hurry to Walk, Video Chatting & Weekday Date Night

I'm really missing my girls, today. They've been in Abilene since, Monday.
Earlier this week, before the girls left town, I took a few photos of Dakota.

She is 69 weeks which is 15.8689 months old <<<------- yes, I just googled that.

"By now, most children are walking fairly well." I'm still waiting for Dakota to take her first steps, on her own. During her last appt. the doctor didn't seem too concerned. He said, if she hasn't started walking by 18 months, if I wanted, he would recommend a specialist. The specialist would come to our home and observe Dakota in her own environment and I guess see what's wrong with me? Haha. I don't know. I don't think, it will get to that point. She's just taking her sweet time with the walking thing.

Most kids start walking by 12 - 14 months....or at least that's what I've read.

Have you ever video chatted with a toddler? I almost lost my dinner. Cheyenne was running all over the place with the phone in hand. Think blair witch project.

Remember when I had to teach Chey how to take a proper selfie? I might have to teach her how to properly conduct a video chat.

Last night, Trey and I took advantage of the girls being out of town. We went to The Keg, my treat!

Road Marathon or Trail Race? Decision Made

For the past week, I've been debating whether or not to register for Dallas Marathon. Originally, I planned to -- but the more I think about it, the more I don't want to pay the $130 registration fee. I might change my mind later, (suck up the cost) and register last minute. For now, my big fall race will be Rockledge Rumble 50K (31 miles). It's a trail race located in Grapevine on the North Shore. The registration fee was $80, not bad for a well supported trail race. I've had my eyes on this race for about 3 years.

A few years ago, I ran the North Shore trail. I wouldn't say it's technical, but there are tree roots everywhere and lots of opportunities to face plant. Even though, I wouldn't consider this trail technical, the distance WILL be a challenge. The furthest distance I've ran at one time, this year was back in July, when I ran Rough Creek (22 miles). What's another 9 miles? Actually, from what I've read from past Rockledge race reviews, the race covers 33 miles, not 31 like advertised. The race is a few weeks away, so it looks like I'll be running a few +18 mile long runs the next few weekends.
     

Wig on Baby (Kind of)

Most babies are bald(ish). Dakota is about a year and a half and she doesn't have much hair. In case you are wondering what she would look like with more hair, here is a visual. I see hair, but mostly the cutest chubby baby face, ever.
 '
She'd make a beautiful brunette.

Right now, her hair is more of a dirty blonde or light brown. Her hair and eyes are the same, they can't seem to settle on a definite color.

Even with her short hair, she is not exempt from a bad hair day.
I miss my girls, both of them are out of town for the week visiting family in Abilene. This is Dakota's first long stretch away from me. I think we are weaning, for realzzz this time. (super sad face, right here).

Running Before Dawn in Order to Get to a 9 am Showtime

How was your weekend? My weekend was filled with running and recovery.
Saturday, my morning started early at 4:45 am ---- that's when my alarm went off. In order to run 17 miles and get back to the house at 8 am, I had to get up before dawn.

Afterwards, I hurried to get out the door and get the girls to the 9 am movie to watch  Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. I love going to the movies at 9 am (really). Can you tell I'm an early bird?
 
I spent the rest of the afternoon in compression socks with my legs propped up.

Lately, the girls having been spending more time outside playing with chalk. It's nice since the cold front came through, I don't have to worry about the wasps outside. In the summer, the wasps, like to linger near my back porch.

This morning, I ran 4 miles on the treadmill. It was easy. I wasn't even watching the time. I just ran and took breaks, when I needed to -- well, when Dakota demanded.

For lunch, the girls and I ate at the mall food court. Subway for me (Foot-long, black forest ham!!!), Chick-fil-A for the girls. I sat at the kiddy table with them. It was actually, really comfortable and I didn't have to worry about hunching over to feed Dakota, since I left her in the stroller.

One last thing...this is my favorite song on the radio, right now! I've gotta add this to my run playlist.

My Week in Photos

Occassionally, I buy Amanda and the kiddos donuts. They were pretty excited this morning.

Fill in the blank....
This girl is still not ____________!

I got some purple Cauliflower from Central Market. All I could think of while I was eating my salad was -- Go TCU Frogs!

More food related images. The kids made apple pie this week. Chey brought some home to share with us and ended up eating most of it. I don't blame her, it was delicious!

Sleep Before Food. I'm the opposite. I'll wake-up just to eat.
For several years my ice machine stopped working. A few months ago, Trey wiggled the ice box around and all of a sudden it started working again. STRANGE!
Earlier this week, the water dispenser started gushing out water and it wouldn't stop. Trey had to drag the fridge out and stop the line or something like that -- I don't know, I'm a girl. If I was home alone and that happen -- I would probably just scream.

You Spin Me Right Round Baby, Right Round

Send Me Letters, Money and Chocolate

Earlier this week, I applied for a PO Box. You can look me up and send me goodies...I accept business or personal gifts. Preferably choclate, but you know I'd also settle for a gift card to Lululemon.

One of the main reasons I applied for a PO Box is because DA Video & Photography Services is now accredited with the Better Business Bureau! Instead of listing my home address, I decided a PO box is a better option. There's something about going to the post office, that really makes me feel like an adult. You'd think that having two kids would. You'd think.

What do you guys think about the BBB? I know when I see the BBB seal, I feel like that's a business who cares about customer service. If you want to check it out, here is the link to DAVP - BBB accreditation page.

I've got sick dance moves (video)

Cheesing It

Note to Self....
Restage this photo in 10 years.
Lately, Dakota is all about the cheese and by that I mean every time she sees a camera she says, "CHEEZZZZEEE!" Yesterday, she held up a phone, pointed it at me and said cheese. She wouldn't stop saying it, until I paused and posed for the "camera."

In case you are wondering she's still crawling around like a crab.